Goodwin named new head football coach

Coach Doug Goodwin (photo courtesy Jackson Prep)

On February 3, Jackson Prep announced the hiring of its new head football coach, Doug Goodwin. Coach Goodwin will be taking over following Tyler Turner’s recent departure from Prep. 

Coach Goodwin began coaching after spending his college career as a defensive back at Auburn. He served as a head coach for multiple high schools in Alabama where he amassed 234 wins over his twenty-seven year coaching career. Due to his success in Alabama high school football, he was elected to the AHSAA Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. He has spent the last seven years working in the SEC, where he has served different roles on the coaching staffs of Auburn and, most recently, Ole Miss. 

“Jackson Prep has a championship tradition with a passionate, devoted fan base. I am honored and excited to be a part of it. I look forward to meeting the parents, players, and coaches as we prepare for the upcoming season,” said Goodwin.

University of Mississippi Head Football Coach Lane Kiffin had this to say about  Goodwin: “I’m excited for Coach Goodwin to take on this opportunity at Jackson Prep. He has a tremendous work ethic, and his understanding of the game is remarkable. I look forward to seeing that program and its players thrive under his leadership.”

Prep Athletic Director Will Crosby said, “We are very excited to welcome Coach Goodwin to the Prep Family. He brings a wealth of experience that comes from coaching both at the high school level and the college level, and I believe that experience will allow him to continue Prep’s tradition of excellence and history of winning.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Coach Goodwin to Jackson Prep. His experience and success as a coach shows me that he is the right person to lead our football program. In our time together throughout the interview process, he has shown me that he will be a great role model for our players, both on and off the field,” commented Prep Head of School Lawrence Coco.

Prep football is looking to get back to the success that they had during Coach Ricky Black’s tenure, during which the Patriots won seven straight state championships (2012-2018). This past season, Prep went 8-5, losing in the semifinal round. While Prep lost several contributing seniors, many important pieces return on both offense and defense, and will do everything possible to get the Goodwin era off to a great start in the fall of 2022.